Manicure implement



Patented Feb. 21, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE My invention relates to the class of implements which are employed for treating nails and adjacent parts of human digits, and an object of my invention, among others, is the production of an implement of this type that shall be extremely useful and efficient in the performance of the operations above mentioned.

One form. of a manicure implement embodying my inventionand in the construction and use of which the objects herein set out, as well as others, may be attained, is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is a face view of one side of my improved implement.

Figure 2 is a similar view on the opposite side.

Figure 3 is an edge view.

Figure 4 is an end view on an enlarged scale.

Figures 5, 6 and 7 are detail views illustrating the use of the implement. 20 Figure 8 is another similar View.

In the accompanying drawing the numeral 6 denotes the body of my improved manicure implement that may be composed of any suitable metal, as steel properly tempered, and which is comparatively thin and preferably has parallel edges and which is preferably flexible to a slight extent. This body is formed, preferably on its opposite faces, with file surfaces 1-8, the ridges composing such surfaces preferably extending in diagonal directions, and as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing.

One end of the body is formed as a nail shaper 9 that is curved crosswise in concavo-convex shape, the concave side being formed as a file surface In, the ribs forming this surface extending preferably lengthwise of the implement. The convex side H is preferably made smooth, the curves forming the convex and concave sides vanishing into the flat surfaces of the body of the tool.

That end of the implement opposite the nail shaper is forked and consists of branches l2-l3 which are created by the formation of a slot l4 extending inwardly from the end of the tool, and as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing. The inner edges of each branch of the bifurcated ends are preferably cut at right angles to the flat surface and form. sharp scraper edges. The end of the branch I2 is formed into quite a sharp point 15 that may be employed for cleaning underneath the nails. The end of the branch I3 is somewhat blunt and may be employed for pushing away the cuticle at the sides and roots of the nails. The branch I3 ismade somewhat longer than the branch l2 so that when the end of the I branch I3 is employed for manicure purposes the danger of interference by the pointed end of the branch I2 is avoided.

It will be observed that the implement embodies in a single article many of the different utensils required in manicure operations, such utensils being conveniently relatively disposed sov that the use of one following that of another may be obtained without undue effort, each utensil being in convenient position for ready application immediately following that of another implement.

In the use of the implement when the bifurcated end is employed it is passed over the end of the nail, both edges resting against the nail end. The sharp corners or edges of the branches rapidly scrape off the nail end. Only light pressure on the tool is necessary. The slot being wider at the outer than at the inner end enables the scraper to be used according to the size of the finger nail. For instance, the outer wide end may be employed on the thumb nail and the inner part of the little finger nail.

With this end of the implement the corners of the nails may be nicely rounded Without injuring the cuticle. The nail may then be smooth finished with the curved end 8 or the flat file surfaces 1 and 8. The sharp end of one prong is used for removing the rough edges of the cuticle around the nails as well as for cleaning underneath the nail. The nails on the right hand are treated by holding the implement in the left hand preferably between the thumb and forefinger and the second finger, and the fingers of the right hand being held out straight at right angles to the implement, the latter is oscillated over the end of the nail with a light pressure of the nail against the implement. The implement may be oscillated by the left hand and the fingers of the right hand being given a light motion by a slight movement of the right wrist. This movement relates both to the curved end 8 of the implement and the bifurcated end comprising the forks or branches l2l3.

I claim:

1. A manicure implement comprising a body of thin metal having a file surface on at least one face thereof, a nail shaper at one end of the body of relatively slight concave-convex form in cross section and over its entire surface, the curvature of said end extending substantially transversely of the longitudinal axis of the implement, the concave side having ribs extending lengthwise parallel with the edges to form a file surface, the other end of the body being smoothed surfaced and having a slot extending inwardly thereof from its outer end creating branches spaced apart edgewise at their roots, the facing edges of said branches being formed as cutting edges, the outer end of one of said branches being bevelled to form a relatively sharp point and the outer end of the other branch being bevelled at a lesser angle than the aforesaid branch and being blunt.

2. A manicure implement comprising a body of thin metal having a file surface on at least one face thereof, and a nail shaper of concavoconvex form in cross section and over its entire surface at one end, the curvature of said end extending substantially transversely of the longitudinal axis of the implement, the concave side having ribs extending lengthwise parallel with the edges to form a file surface.

3. A manicure implement comprising a body of thin metal, one end of body having a slot extending inwardly thereof creating branches spaced apart edgewise at their roots, the facing edges of said branches being formed as cutting edges and the outer end of one of said branches being bevelled to form a relatively sharp point.

4. A manicure implement comprising a body of thin metal, one end of the body having a slot extending inwardly thereof creating branches spaced apart edgewise at their roots, the facing edges of said branches being formed as cutting edges and the outer end of one of said branches being bevelled to form a relatively sharp point and the outer end of the other branch being bevelled at a lesser angle than the aforesaid branch and being blunt.

GRANT HAMMOND. 

